Chapter 132: The Eighth of the Top Ten Virtuous Empresses — Northern Song: The Benevolent and Saintly Empress Cao (Cao)

【Today we list the top ten timeless virtuous empresses, number eight—Northern Song, the benevolent and saintly Empress Cao (Cao).】

The sky unfurled a swath of blue‑green ripples, as if a spring breeze brushed the fields.

The scene focuses on a corner of the Bianjing palace gardens, where a woman wearing a simple phoenix crown squats beside a vegetable plot, intently catching green insects on the leaves.

Not far behind her, the Yanfu Hall's glazed eaves glitter in the sunlight, solemn and plain, merging marvelously with the view.

"Empress Cao? Cao?"

All dynasties' gazes refocus.

Another Northern Song Empress?

And this one, it seems… actually farms vegetables in the palace?

"Farming vegetables and raising silkworms?"

Great Han.

Liu Bang widened his eyes and pointed at the sky.

"The Empress catches insects in the palace? This… is this even a virtuous empress? Where's the virtue? She can farm?"

Lv Zhi coldly said, "Your Majesty, do you know that agriculture and sericulture are the foundation of the state?"

"The Empress works with her own hands to show reverence for agriculture, urging the study of farming and sericulture; this is great virtue. It is far better than some who only know drinking, revelry, and gathering beauties."

Liu Bang choked slightly, awkwardly rubbing his nose.

Ying Zheng's gaze flickered.

Emphasizing agriculture and restraining commerce is his national policy.

If the Empress can set an example and promote farming and weaving, it would indeed benefit the state.

Only it's unclear whether Empress Cao truly has this intention or is merely putting on a show.

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, raised an eyebrow, "Personally attending to agriculture and sericulture? At least there's intention."

"But the Empress's role is to embody maternal virtue for the realm, to assist the ruler, stabilize the harem, and advise on right and wrong. Farming and catching insects is perhaps… overly trivial."

In his mind, he prefers a woman like Wei Zifu, gentle, perceptive, and able to share his worries and solve problems.

Great Tang.

Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, showed an approving smile,

"How marvelous! 'The palace as a field,' this saying and action carry great meaning."

"The Empress resides in the inner palace; every move serves as a model for the world."

"She personally farms vegetables and raises silkworms, not for the modest yield, but to proclaim to the world the values of agriculture, frugality, and hands‑on effort."

"This works better than issuing countless edicts. Guanyin maid, don't you think so?"

Empress Changsun smiled and nodded, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. I have also opened a small garden in the palace, planting mulberry and hemp, leading the palace women in weaving. Though the output was modest, the purpose was to let all understand the hardship of resources and avoid extravagant hearts. This Empress Cao and I can be said to share the same mind."

Wei Zheng solemnly said, "The Empress tills the fields herself to set an example. This embodies the principle of 'cultivating oneself as the root, harmonizing the family and governing the state' within the palace."

"One who can do this must be self‑disciplined, public‑spirited, and devoted to the realm. This Empress Cao is no ordinary person."

Cheng Yaojin muttered, "The Empress farms vegetables? It sounds strange, but if the vegetables grown could be turned into winter clothing for soldiers, that would be a good thing."

Great Ming.

Founding Emperor of Ming, Zhu Yuanzhang, slapped his thigh and praised Empress Ma, "Girl! Look, this is exactly how a queen from the common folk should look!"

"Never forgetting one's roots, knowing how grain is produced, how cloth is woven, farming vegetables and raising silkworms in the palace—good! Excellent!"

"Compared to those who only know to apply makeup and vie for attention, this is ten thousand times better; Empress Cao, you match our temperament!"

Empress Ma also laughed, "What Zhongba says is that, back then I also led the harem sisters in spinning and weaving to supplement expenses, didn't I?"

"When the Empress leads with thrift, those below dare not indulge in extravagance. That Empress Cao can persist in this truly shows virtuous conduct."

(the Yongle Emperor) Zhu Di nodded, "Setting an example and promoting frugality can curb the court's lavishness. For the state and the people, it is a good thing."

【Reason for ranking: Cao turned the Empress's duties into the hands‑on practice of "farming vegetables and raising silkworms," using extreme self‑restraint wisdom to curb the influence of external relatives and harmonize the succession of three dynasties' imperial power, proving that "non‑contention" within the inner palace is in fact the state's greatest "contention".】

Great Qin.

"Extreme self‑restraint wisdom... curbing external relatives... harmonizing three dynasties' imperial power..."

This portion of the ranking reason made Liu Che and others, who previously thought "farming" overly trivial, immediately set aside their disdain.

Curbing external relatives is the perpetual bane of the Han, and harmonizing imperial succession is a top‑priority matter for the stability of the nation!

This Empress Cao, who seems only to know farming, actually possesses such ability and skill?

"Non‑contention is the greatest contention..."

Ying Zheng savored the words, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

Within the inner palace, if the Empress relentlessly vies for favor and power, it often backfires, causing turmoil.

If one can curb personal desire, restrain kin, and reconcile conflicts, appearing non‑contentious yet actually ensuring stable imperial rule and national peace, that is true great wisdom, the great "contention"!

His assessment of Empress Cao instantly rose.

Great Tang.

"Harmonizing three dynasties' imperial power..."

Li Shimin's expression grew solemn.

He had personally experienced the Xuanwu Gate Incident and deeply understood the importance of succession.

If the Empress can play a moderating, lubricating, even pivotal role in this process, her merits would be no less than those of a wise minister in the court.

This requires extremely high prestige, wisdom, and precise grasp of the situation.

"Curbing external relatives... good! Excellent!"

Zhu Yuanzhang could not agree more.

"External relatives meddling in governance brings disaster to the nation! Look at the Lv, Huo, and Wang families of the Han!"

"Empress Cao can voluntarily restrain her own brothers and even erect a stele to make it clear; that shows great wisdom and public spirit!"

Liu Che heard "restraining the external relatives," and his heart also stirred.

He heavily employed Wei Qing and Huo Qubing because of their abilities, but he was not without safeguards against the Wei family's influence.

If the empress can voluntarily restrain the external family, it can indeed spare the monarch many troubles and reduce the risk of the in‑laws gaining power. This Empress Cao is sensible.

【Achievement One: The palace corridors become fields.】

Behind Yanfu Hall, a "First Silkworm Platform" was opened, where she led palace staff to plant wheat and raise silkworms, and the silk produced was exclusively for soldiers' winter clothing.

In years of disaster, she ordered the Imperial Garments Office to dismantle old silk tents and remake them into a thousand "Charitable Infant Swaddles" sent to the capital region, and the folk spread the saying:

"In Empress Cao's vegetable plot, not even half a bolt of extravagant brocade can grow."】

In the scene, Empress Cao leads palace maids at the First Silkworm Platform to harvest mulberry leaves, raise silkworms, and spin and weave cloth.

The produced silk is carefully made into thick winter garments and distributed to border soldiers.

In the year of famine, the splendid old palace tents were dismantled, and skillful palace staff turned them into countless infant swaddles, which were sent to impoverished families in the capital region.

That folk saying "cannot grow half a bolt of extravagant brocade" is the finishing touch.

"The silk produced exclusively for soldiers' winter wear… old tents turned into Charitable Infant Swaddles…" Liu Che was moved.

This is no longer merely advocating frugality; it is the material saved by the court being concretely used for the soldiers defending the nation and the crying infants awaiting nourishment.

This sentiment, this dedication, commands solemn respect.

"Cannot grow extravagant brocade," is the most powerful silent critique and example against court extravagance.

"Good! Truly! So good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang repeatedly praised, "Put things where they're needed—soldiers defending the nation should stay warm, and poor children without clothes should be helped!"

"This empress, with soldiers and the people in her heart, is ten thousand times stronger than those who only know how to make beautiful clothes for themselves!"

Empress Ma gently patted Zhu Yuanzhang's hand.

Li Shimin praised, "Practice what you preach, promote frugality to aid people. The deeds are subtle, the heart is benevolent, the impact far‑reaching."

"One bolt of silk, one swaddle; it warms the soldiers' bodies, protects the infants' lives, and gathers the people's hearts."

"This Empress Cao deeply knows that 'benevolent governance' begins at the very footstep."

Ying Zheng also gave a slight nod: "Emphasize practicality, discard extravagance, benefit the army and the people. This woman truly possesses virtue."

Three Kingdoms realm.

"Empress Cao's vegetable plot…"

Cao Cao savored the affectionate address, laughing: "To be called so by the people shows that his benevolent rule has deeply reached the hearts of the people."

"Planting vegetables in the palace can produce such camaraderie between soldiers and civilians; the folk reputation says this 'vegetable plot' is priceless."